Propulsion apparatus



1 A. H. HARVEY ETAL 2,331,073

PROPULSION APPARATUS Filed July 10. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventorfilial? A Harry Fmrafi? J Han? M Ewe Oct. 5, 1943. A. H. HARVEY ETALPROPULSION APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 InventorPatented Oct. 5, 1943 OFFICE.

PROPULSION APPARATUS Albert H. Harvey and Frank J. Harvey, Los Angeles,Calif.

Application July 10, 1942, Serial No. 450,458

1 Claim.

This invention appertains tonew and useful improvements in propulsionmeans for marine vessels.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a multiplepropeller assembly for single power plant vessels.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a multiplepropeller assembly for single power plant vessels in which the speed ofthe propeller unit is'increased by gearing over the turning speed of thepower plant.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothe reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary top plan View showing a power plantand the propeller assembly.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the hull of avessel showing the propeller assembly and power plant.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the gearing arrangement. I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing one of thedriven shafts. f

Figure 5 is an elevational view of one of the bearings.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view wheel and ring gear.

Figure 7 is an outside rear elevational view of the stern of the boat.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, itcan be seen in Figure 1 that numeral 5 denotes the stern portion of a ofthe flymarine vessel and consistent with one practical embodiment of thepresent invention, this por- The propeller shafts l2 and M arerearwardly diverged with respect to the axially disposed shaft l3, buteach of these shafts extends through a bearing structure l6 located upona stand ll suitably secured to the bottom of the boat or to somesupporting structure in the boat.

The forward, end of each of the shafts I 2, l3 and I4- is equipped witha beveled pinion I8 meshing with the ring gear I I] as in the mannersubstantially shown in Figure 1.v The arrange ment of these pinionsissubstantially shown in Figure 3, it being shown that the lowermostpinionl8 meshes with the lower portion'of the ring gear l0 while the remainingpinions I8 mesh with the ring gear ill at diametrically oppositeportions of the ring gear substantially ninety degrees removed each fromthe-lowermost pinion Thus it can be seen, that the single power plant 1-drives three propellers and the speed of I these propellers is increasedover the speed of rotation of the drive shaft 8 by the speed increasinggears I0, l8. This arrangement econo- V mizes on space and also onpower.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specificterms, it is tobe understood that numerous changes in the shape, sizeand materials may be resorted to without departing 7 from the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A propulsion apparatus comprising a power plant, a flywheel driven bythe power plant; a

tion of the vessel has three openings therein, in

l2, l3 and I 4, each extending through a corre-' sponding bushing 6 inthe stern of the boat and being equipped at its rear end with apropeller l5. I

ring gear on the flywheel, a plurality of stem directed propellershaftsdisposed in rearwardly diverged relation with respect to eachotherand including a. pair of shafts upon opposite sides of said gear,respectively, and a lower shaft at the bottom of said gear, each of theshafts provided with a propeller, and beveled pinionsat the remainingends of the shafts in mesh with the ring gear, and bearing standsthrough which shafts are journaled.

ALBERT H. HARVEY. FRANK J HARVEY.

